Athletic Bilbao are reportedly prepared to bring back Manchester United’s Ander Herrera if it means making him their best-paid player.

According to AS, Athletic see Herrera as a ‘special’ player, having helped them reach the 2012 Europa League Final and qualify for the Champions League two years later, prior to leaving for United in a €36m deal.

The newspaper explains the Basque – who turns 29 in August – has only one year left on his contract but plans to honour it, although he ‘doesn’t intend’ to sign an extension.

Consequently, Los Leones may wait until 2019 or try to negotiate a knockdown price this summer, while they face competition from Milan and possibly Real Zaragoza – his formative club and where AS claims ‘he wants to end his career’.

Herrera has made over 150 appearances for the Red Devils but was pushed further down their midfield pecking order by the recent arrival of Brazil international Fred.